Disk harrow



8- 15, 1939- R. H. MITCHELL ET m. 2,

DISK HARROW Filed May 5-, 1936 5 sheets-snout 1 F- 5 88' H g IQVENTORS J! 40 BY ATTORNEY:

g- 15, 3 RH. MITCHELL ET'AL 2,169,471

DISK HARROW Filed May 5, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS 15, 1939- R. H. MITCHELL :1- AL 2,169,471

DISK HARRQW Filed May 5,' 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS 30 embodying our invention.

' ad the Patented Aug. 15, 1939 UNITED STATES PA TENT OFFlCE DISK minnow Application my 5, 1936, Serial No. 77,974

39 Claims.

This invention relates to disk harrows, and more particularly to a control mechanism for controlling theoperation of single tandem disk. harrows. This invention is directed to an improvement over thatform of disk harrow illustrated in Patent No. 2,152,928, issued to Sjogren and Mitchell April 4, 1939.

It is an object of this invention to provide a control mechanism operable to control the angularity of the disk gangs under working, nonworking and turning conditions to insure that the disk gangs will at all times take-and maintain the required angularity for operations under all conditions such as the wheeling position where the gangs are maintained parallel, working con-.

ditions where the gangs are angled apart so that the disks will cultivate the soil, and the proper positions to permit the harrow to turn to the right or in a direction around the normally open ends of the gangs whentin working position. and to permit the gangs of disks to return to working position after the turn has been negotiated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention Figure 14.'is a. diagrammatic top plan view illustrating the harrow of Figure 1 with the gangs of discs moved to angled position. 1

Figure 15 is a similar top plan view illustrating {he gangs moved to position to negotiate a right 5 urn.

Figure 16 is a topplan view of a further modified form of disk harrow embodying our invention.

Figure 17 is a top plan view of another inodifled form of disk harrow embodying our invention.

Figures 18 and 19 are top plan views of a further modified form of our invention illustrating in Figure 18 the gangs of disks moved to posi- 15 tion to negotiate a right turn, and in Figure 19 the gangs of disks moved to angled or working position.-

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

. Figures 1 to 15, inclusive, include a front gang 20 it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred and Hindifled forms of control mechanism embodying ourinvention.

In the drawings: I Figure 1 is a top plan-view of a disk harrow Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a latch control mechanism embodied in our invention.

Figure 4 is a front elevation thereof. .Eigurefi is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a modified form of latch control. Figure '7 is a-side /elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 6.

' Figure 8 is a second modified form of latch control mechanism embodied in our invention.

Figure 9- is a side elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 8. Figure 10 isan end view looking from the right of Figures 6 and '7 illustrating the latch stop as in engaging position.

Figure 11 is an end view similar to Figure 10 illustrating the latch stop as moved to releasing position. Figure 12 is a sectional side elevation of the latch stop mechanism taken substantially on the line I2I2 of Figure 1. l Figure 13 is a plan view partly in section of stop latch illustrated in Figure 12.

at a point upon the right-hand side of the efiecit of disks I and a rear gang of disks 2.; The gangs of disks are connected together bya pivot means herein illustrated as including cross arms 3 and 4 pivotally'connected at their opposed-ends to the frames of the front and rear gangs I and 2. The 25 pivot means thus provided permits the gangs of disks I and 2 to swing to and from angled or working position.

Each of the gangs of disks I and 2 includes a plurality of eoncavo-co-nvex disks 5 mounted upon a gang rod or rods 6. Connected to the forward gang of disks I is a hitch 1, herein illustrated as of the swing hitch type, and including hitch bars 8 and 9. The hitch bars a and p are pivotally 35 connected at a pivot, I0, and the hitch bar 8 is adjustable in length and forms what is commonly known in the art as the ofise't. adjustment bar of the hitch. The swingin hitch thus provided is pivotally connected at u ipi'vottl i to the right-hand end of the frame of theflfront disk gang. The hitch bar 9 extends rearward from the point of the pivot III and is provided with-a coupling I2 by means of which the hitch may be pivotally connected to a tractor or other suitable 5 draft device.

. The hitch 'I likewise includes a transverse bar I3 whichis pivotally connected to the rear end of the hitch bar 9 and is likewise pivotally connected at a point between its ends to a bracket 50 It secured'to the frame of the disk gang I. The other, or free, end of the transverse bar I3 is connected to an angle'co'ntrol bar I5 which extends-to the frame of the rear gang of disks 2 Connected rigidly upon the tractor or other draft device is a turning arm l6 which is rigid .relative to the pivotal connection provided by the 'wardly and is connected to the left-hand end of the frame of the front gang of disks 1. H In order to control the operation of the disk barrow to maintain the gangs of disks in angled position under all conditions of operation and to permit the gangs of disks to be moved to the position required to negotiate a right turn, or a turn around the normally open ends of the gangs of disks, the following control means may be provided: Y

Mounted upon the angle control bar I is a rack. l8. Mounted on the frame of the front gang of disks is a guide i9. Mounted on the bar I5 is an adjustable latch or stop 20. The

adjustable stop preferably includes a pair of spaced plates 2| between which rollers 22 are from running .latch rod 32;

mounted to ride upon the bar l5 and the rack l8. Carried between the plates 2| is a latch pawl 23 adapted to engage in the depressions of the rack Hi. The pawl 23 is pivotally mounted upon a pivot 24 and is connected by means of a link 25 with pivotally mounted actuating arms 26. A spring 21 is connected between the arm 26 and one of the plates 2| in a position to hold the pawl 23 normally in engaging position. A rope or other flexible connection 28 is connected with the outer end of the arm 26 and extends forwardly to the tractor or other device to permit manipulation of the pawl 23. At its rear end the rack i8 is provided with a limit stop 29.

As the gangs of disks are angled, the operator, by pulling upon the rope 28, may adjustthe position to which the stop 20 is adjustedwith relation to the rack l8 on the bar l5 and thus adjust the angularlty to which the gangs are permitted to assume by the stop 28 engaging the guide l9.

The adjustable stop 20 likewise carries a stop lug 30 on its under surface (Figure 12) which is normally engaged by a latch 3| carried by a latch rod 32, looking the stop 20 to the front gang, thereby normally holding the gangs in angled position after the gangs of disks have been angled and preventing the gangs of discs together out of angled position. With'the stops adjustable stop' 20 so locked to the front gang, the gangs of disks can not be moved to parallel position or to a position to negotiate a right mm.

In order to facilitate the making of a. right turn, we have provided a connection I1 from the fixed arm Hi to the left side of the frame of the front gang, with which connection is associated a latch release mechanism, arranged to release the latch 3| and exert a pulling force on the left side of the front gang whenever the tractor is turned to the right. Releasing the latch 3| unlocks the adjustable stop'28 from the front gang,

thereby unlocking the gangs, and the pulling force applied to the left side of the front gang pulls the gangs out of angled position. The connection I1 is connected to one arm of a bell crank or lever 33 at the left side of the frame of the front gang of disks The bell crank or lever 33 is pivotally supported at a pivot 33 and the opposite arm of the bell crank 33 is connected to the The latch'rod 32 extends transversely of the harruw andis supported in bearing brackets 35 and 36. A spring'3'l is connected 32 and the bracket 36 normally the la'tch rod 32 from rotation latch 3| thereof in engaging between the rod yieldably holding and holding the position.

The bearing bracket 36-includes an inclined way 38 upon which a pin 39 carried by the rod 32 rides. Thus it will be observed that as a pull is imparted by the connection II to the bell crank or lever 33, the rod 32 is pulled longitudinally toward the right asviewed in'Figure 4, causing the pin 39 to travel upwardly along the inclined way 38, thereby resulting in a rotation of the portion 40 of the rod 32 with the result that the latch 3| is rotated out of engaging position with the stop lug 30, releasing adjustable stop 20 and thereby permitting the bar l5 to moVeIorwardly and the gangs to move together to reversed angled position.

In order to permit theportion 40 of the rod 32 to rotate, a swivel connection 4| is provided for connecting theportion 40 with the rod 32. After the latch 3| has been disengaged from the lug 30, any further rod 32 is prevented by the pin 39 reaching the end of the way 38, and thereafter the force imparted by the connection H to the bell crank or lever 33 is exerted to pull the front gang of discs out of angle. Due to the connection provided by the cross links 3 and 4 between the front gang of disks l and the rear gang of disks 2, the pulling of the front gang out of angle is followed with the pulling of the rear gang out of angle so that the harrow may freely negotiate a righthand turn.

After the harrow has negotiated a right-hand turn, the straightening up of the tractor to pull the harrow again forwardly results in the gangs rotation of the portion 40 of the moving back to their angled position as previously determined by location of the adjustable stop 20 and the stop lug 30 passing over the latch 3| to hold the rear gang of disks in the desired angled position against any tendency of the rear gang of disks to run forwardly as is often encountered under certain soil conditions and under conditions such as running down a hill or incline.

In the modified form of control illustrated in Figures 6, '7, l1, and 12 similar parts have been indicated with the same numeral with the addition of an exponent a thereto.

In this modification the latch rod 32- is journaled in the bearings 35 and 36 'and in an additional bearing 42 at the left end of the disk harrow. The rod 32 is in this case provided with a depending arm 43 for the purpose of rotating the entire rod 32 when a pull is exerted on the connection H The rotation of therod 32 results in the latch 3| being, rotated out of engaging position.

A pin 39* is secured to the rod 32 and passes into a slot 38 formed in the bearing bracket 36 and forms a limit stop at its end to limit the rotation of the rod 32 after the latch 3| has "been rotated out of engaging position.

fication of our invention differs from that her'etofore considered only in the formationof the limit stop which limits the rotation of the rod 32. In this modification, the depending arm 43* is connected to the connection I1 and the rod 32 is mounted to rotate in the bearings 35 36 and 42'' carried by the frame of the front gang trated in Figure 16, similar parts are indicated with similar numerals with the addition of an exponent c thereto. In this modification the front and rear gangs of discs l and 2 are connected together by a pivot formed by means of the pivotally mounted cross bars 3,and 4 as in the case of the modification heretofore discussed,

and are provided at their forward end with a hitch 1 of substantially the same form of. construction.

The connection ll connecting theleft end of v v the frame of the front gang of disks l with the rigid turning arm of the tractor is likewise sub; stantially the same. In this form of construction the latch means connected with the angle control' bar |5 is mounted between the frames of the gangs of disks I and 2 respectively, and is, so mounted and positioned that when a turn to the right or around the open ends of the gangs of disks is started, the impulse transmitted through the effort to turn the'front gang of disks l is transmitted through the angle bar l5 to effect a release of the latch means provided and permit the gangs of discs l and 2 to .move out of le. 1 1

Mounted upon the rack bar |8 is an angle adjusting stop 20 similar in all respects to the angle adjustment stop 20 described in connection with the form of our invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 15, inclusive.

In this modification of our invention, the rack bar i8 is pivotally connected at a pivot50 to the frame of the front gang of disks. A- pawl 5I is pivotally mounted by a pivot 55 on the frame of the rear gang of disks 2 in position to engage within the detents formed in the rack bar [8 to thus hold the gangs of disks in the par-- ticular angle or non-angled positioridesired.

' The pawl 5I has an inclined rear surface 52 and is yieldably held in engaging position by means of a spring 53 so that when the gangs of disks are angled apart, the pawl will ride over the detents of the rack 'bar l6 aiid not act to hold 'the' gangs of disks from moving into agreater angle. After the gangs of disks, however, are angled apart, the pawl 5loperates to hold the gangsin position to which they are angled against any tendency of the gangs'of disks to Spring 53 is connected to the pawl 5l in position oflset to-the left of the pivot The angle control bar I 5 is pivotally connected 1 at its rear end to a lever 54.

The lever 54 is pivotally mounted upon the pivot 55, which pivot55 is common with the pivot for the pawl 5l. The lever 54 extends beyond the pivot 55 'inposition to engage an upwardly projected end 56 formed on a bell crank or lever arm 51 of the pawl 5|,

A stop pin 55 is mounted upon the frame of I the rear gang of disks 2 in position to limit the movement of the pawl 5| in itsv disengagement from the rackl6. The operation of this latch is in its automatic release when a right-ban turn is negotiated as follows:

When a right-hand turn is started, the first force is transmitted through a connection l1 to the left-hand end of the frame of the front gang of disks This force tends to rotate the front gang of disks in a direction to permit this front gang of disks to follow theturn being made by the tractor. The force is immediately transmitted likewise through the angle control bar l5 to cause the lever 54 to pivot upon the pivot 55 the force exerted being to pull the angle control 5 pulled out of engagement with the rack bar [0 10 permitting the rack bar |8 to move rearwardly to thereby permitthe gangs of disks l and 2 to close together to the position required to freely negotiate the right-hand turn.. In order to guidingly maintain the rack bar W in position, the 15 guide arm 59 is formed thereon in position to engage av guide pin 60 mounted on the frame of the rear gang of disks 2; The slide 20 is mounted upon the rack l8 and a stop is formed at the rear endof the rack l8 similar-to the stop 29 for 20 the slide.20. t

In the modified form of our invention illustrated in Figure 17, similar parts have been designated with similar numerals with the addition of an exponent d" theretoi 1 This modification of our invention is similar to that heretofore discussed in connection with Figures 1 to 15, inclusive, and differs only in the g form of automatic latch means provided for holding vthe gangs of disks l and 2 to the matically releasable to permit th'eharrow "to negotiate a right turn.

Inthis modified form of our invention, the

latch ispositioned between the transverse hitch '35 bar l3 and the frame of the front gang of disks I and as illustrated includes a bell crank 33 pivoted on a pivot 34 to the frame of the front gang l. 'One arm of the bell crank 33 is connected. to the connection l1 which extends for- 40 wardly to the turning arm rigidly connected upon the tractor or other draft implement. The opvpositearm 60 is pivotally connected to the end of a rack bar l8. The rack bar l8 is at its opposite end slidingly mounted in a pawl carrier 5 6 which pawl carrier is iii-turn pivotally mounted upon the transverse hitch bar |3. A pawl 23 is provided for engaging the rack bar l8 to adjustably hold the transverse hitch bar l3 in adjusted position, to thereby determine the 50 angularity of the gangs l and 2.

The rack bar |8 extends beyond'the pivot connecting the rack bar l8 with the arm 60 and is provided with a stop 62 to prevent the bars pivoting beyond the straight position indicated in Figure 17.

In the operation of this form of harrow, in

negotiating a right turn, a forward pull upon the connection I 1 results in the swinging of the arm 60 to break the straight line connection provided between the rack l8 and the arm 60,

' thereby permitting the frontgang of disks to be swung out of angled position, and as the front gang of disks swings out of angled position, the rear gang of disks correspondingly moves out of angled position.

In the modified form of our invention illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, similar parts have been indicated with'similar numerals with the addition of an exponent .e thereto.

This modified form of our invention differs from that heretofor considered only in the means provided for n hving the gangs of disks from the angled position when it is desired th e- 30 sired angled position, and which latch is au 0- tiate a right-hand turn,

negotiate a right-hand turn or a turn around the normally open ends of the gangs of disks.

In this construction there is included between the frames of the gangs I. and 2 a pair of levers 10 and II which are at their opposed ends pivotally connected to the frames of the respective disk gangs. The two levers 10 and H are pivotally connected together at a pivot 12. The lever ll extends beyond the pivot point !2 and is connected with the right turn connection l'|. Withthis construction and with the parts in the positionv indicated in device turns in a direction to negoa pull is transmitted through the connection H to the lever 'I I causing the levers to be pulled in a direction to initially force the gangs of 'disks apart at their normally closed ends. The pull also, from the right turn connection H is transmitted to the front otherv draft gang of disks in this manner to first cause the front gang of disks to move out of angle, accompanied with the force transmitted through the lever 1| to simultaneously cause the rear gang of disks 2* to move out of angle.

The harrow embodying our invention is likewise constructed so as to permit the harrow to be backed without the gangs of disks being moved to a reverse angle. The structure is such as to permit the gangs of discs to be backed while the gangs of disks are maintained in parallel position.

In order to permit the gangs of disks to be backed in this manner, and when the gangs of disks are in the position indicated in Figure 14, the tractor or other draft implement is backed and at the same time the operator actuates the rope 28 to release the pawl 23 of the adjustable stop 20. Under these conditions the latch 3| is still in engagement with the stop lug 30 of the adjustable'stop 20. The angling bar I5 is permitted to slide through the stop 20 until the limit stop 29 engages the roller mounted upon the pivot pin 24. -The engagement of the stop 29 with the stop 20 occurs when the gangs are in a parallel position as illustrated in Figure 1. This engagement prevents the gangs from going beyond the parallel position when the harrow is to bebacked up to clear -it of any clogging or to take it out of the cutting position for any other desired reason.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but our invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a single tandem disk harrow, the combination of a front gang of disks, a rear gang of disks, pivot means connecting the disk gangs together to permit'the gangs of disks to be angled apart at one side of the harrow, a hitch connected to the front disk gang, a draft connection at the forward end of the hitch, an angle control means, a latch connected between the angle control means and the front disk gang, a fixed armextending transversely from the draft connection, a latch release means, and a connection from the fixed arm to the latch release means.

2. In a single tandem disk harrow, the combination of a front gang of disks, a rear gang of disks, a pivot means connecting the disk gangs together to permit the disk gangs to swing apart to angled position. an a g Q means.

Figure 19, which is the angled or-working position, when the tractor or bination of a front gang of and means operably at a point opposite the end at which the disk gangs are angled apart, and a latch release means connected with the connection from the fixed arm to the front disk gang.

3. In a single tandem disk harrow, the combination of a front gang of disks, a rear gang of disks, pivot means connecting the disk gangs together to permit the disk gangs to be. angled apart at one side of the harrow, a hitch connected to the front disk gang, a draft connection at the forward end of the hitch, an angle control means, a latch connected between the angle control means and one of the disk gangs, a fixed arm extending transversely from the draft connection, a latch release means, and a lease means. I

4. In a single tandem disk harrow, the comdisks, a rear gang of disks, pivot means connecting the disk gangs together to permit the gangs to be angled apart at one side of the harrow, a hitch connected to the front disk gang, a draft connection at the forward end of the hitch, means including a releasable latch for maintaining the disk gangs angled apart, a fixed arm extending transversely from the draft connection, a connection from the fixed arm to the front disk gang, and means connecting the latter connection with the latch and operable to release the latch.

5. In a single tandem disk harrow, the combination of a front gang of disks, a rear gang of disks, pivot means connecting the disk gangs together. to permit the gangs at one side of the harrow, a the front gang of disks, a draft connection at the forward end of the hitch, an angle control bar connected between the hitch and the rear gang of disks, an adjustable stop mounted on the angle control bar, a stop mounted on the front gang of disks, and a limit back-up means operatively connected between the angle control bar and the adjustable stop for maintaining the gangs of disks in parallel relation .when backed.

6. In a single tandem disk harrow, the combination of a front gang of disks and a rear gang of disks, means for pivotally connecting the gangs of disks together so as to permit the gangs to swing to and from angled relation, means connecting the gangs of disks together and operable to hold the gangs of disks in angular relation, connecting the said holding means with one of the gangs of disks and including means which are releasable to permit the gangs of disksto swing together when it is desired to make a turn, and means connecting the said releasable means and a means utilized for drawing the barrow operable upon turning of the said drawing means to release the said releasable means and permit the gangs to move together from angled relation.

'7. In a single tandem disk harrow, the combination of a forward gang of disks and a rearconnected with the forward gang of disks, a draft means connected with the hitch means, means to be angled apart. hitch connected to for holding the gangs in angular relation, the lat- 7 ter means including a latch operatively connected between one of said gangsand the said holding means, and'means operatively connected with the draft means and the latch means and operable upon turning of the draft means to release the said latch means to permit said gangs of I disks to swing out of angular relation.

8. In a single tandem disk harrow, the combination of a front gang of disks and a rear gang of disks, means pivotally connecting the gangs of disks to permit the gangs to swing apart to angular relation, means for holding the gangs of disks zontal plane, including means for causing angular movement of one gang by virtue of angling movement of the other, draft means flexibly connected to the tractor and embodying draft mem-- bers severally flexibly connected to the forward and rear gangs, the rear-gang-connected member being movable relative to the forward gang, an angling control member connected to the tractor at a point offset laterally from the .point of draft connection theretov and to the forward gang at a point offset laterallyfromgthe point of draft in angular relation, latch' meansoperatively asconnection to that gang, and means adapted to sociated with one of said gangs and with the holdingmeans, a hitch secured to the front gang of disks and adapted to be connected with a draft means, and means operatively connected between the draft means and said latch means for releasing the latch means upon turning of the draft means.

9. A tractor operated ground working imple- -ment comprising forward and rearward gangs of ground working tools, means interconnecting the gangs forrelative angling movement in a horizontal plane, draft 'means flexibly connected to the tractor and embodying draft members sev erally flexibly connected to the forward and rear gangs, the rear-gang-connected member being movable relative to the forward gang, an angling control member connected to the tractor at 'a point offset laterally from the point of draft connection thereto and to the forward gang at a point offset laterally from the point of draft connection to that gang, and stop means acting between the rear gang draft member and the .forward gang and controlled by the control member.

10. A tractor operated ground working implement comprising forward and-rearward gangs of ground working tools, means interconnecting the gangs for relative angling movement in a horizontal plane, draft means flexibly connected to the tractor and embodying draft members sev ment comprising forward and 'rearward gangs. of ground working tools, means interconnecting.

the gangs for relative angling movement in a horizontal plane, including means for causing angular movement of one gang by virtue of an gling movement ,of the other, draft means flexibly connected to the tractor and embodying draft members severally flexibly connected to the forward and rear gangs, the rear-gang -connected member being movable relative to the forward gang, an angling control member connected to the tractor at a point offset laterally from the point of draft connection thereto and to the forward gang at a point offset-laterally from the point of draft connection to t at gang, and stop means acting between the re r gang draft member and the forward gang niid controlled by the control member.

12. A tractor operated ground working implement comprising forward and rearward gangsof grvund Working o means in e c n ecti g" the lock'the rear gang draft member to the forward gang and controllable by hand and by the control member. 13. A tractor operated ground working implement comprising forward and rearward gangs of grolmd working tools, means interconnecting the gangs for relative angling movement in a horizontal plane, draft means. flexibly connected to the tractor and embodying draft members severally flexibly connected to the forward gang and to the rear gang, the rear-'gang-connected member being movable relative to the forward gang, an angling control member connected to the tractor at a point offset laterally from the point of draft connection thereto and to the forward gang at a point offset laterally from the point of draft connection to that gang, and'stop means acting between the rear gang draft member and'the forward gang and controlled by the control member.

14. A tractor operated ground working implement comprising forward and rearward gangs of ground working tools, means interconnecting the gangs for relative angling movement in a horizontal plane, draft means flexibly connected to the tractor and embodying draft members severaly flexibly connected to the forward gang and to the rear gang, the rear-gang-connected member being movable relative to the forward gang, an angling control member connected to the tractor at a point offset laterally from the point of draft connection thereto and to the forward gang at a point offset laterally from the point of draft connection to that gang, and means adapted to lock the rear gang draft member to the forward gang and controllable by hand and by the control member;

15. A tractor operated ground working implement comprising forward and rearward gangs 1 of *ground working tools, means interconnecting the gangs for relative angling movement'in a horizontal plane, draft members flexibly connected to the tractor and to the forward gangv and to the rearward gang, the draft member connected to the rearward gang being movable relative to the forward gang, a control member corrnected to the tractor at a point laterally offset from the point of draft connection thereto and laterally from the point of draft connection to that gang, and stop means acting'between the rear gang draft member and the forward gang controllable by the control member. a

16. A tractor operated ground working implement comprising forward and rearward gangs of ground working tools, means interconnecting the "gangs 'for relative angling movement in a horiconnected to the forward gang at a point offset zon'tal plane, draft members flexibly'connected.

to the tractor and to the forward gang and to the rearward gang, the draft member connected to the rearward gang being movable relative to the forward gang, a control member connected to the tractor at a point laterally Offset from the point of draft connection thereto and connected to the forward gang at a point offset laterally from the point of draft connection to that gang, the draft member connected to the rearward gang including a draft bar, a lock block slidable on the bar, manually controlled means for locking the block to the bar, and means for locking the block to the forward gang and controlled by the control member.

17. A tractor operated ground working implement comprising forward and rearward gangs of ground working tools, means interconnecting the gangs for relative angling movement in a horizontal plane, draft members flexibly connected to the tractor and to the forward gang and to the rearward gang, the draft member connected to the rearward gang including a draft bar movable relative to the forward gang, a latch pawl movably connected with the forward gang at the last mentioned side of the gang interconnection, a lock block slidable on said draft bar, manually controlled means means engageable by the pawl to hold the block against movement relative to theforward gang, and a control member'connected to the tractor at a point laterally offset from the point of draft connection thereto and connected to the pawl to move it to release the block.

18.- A tractor operated ground working imple ment comprising forward and rear .gangs of ground working tools, means interconnecting the gangs for relative angling movement in a horizontal plane, draft members flexibly connected to the tractor and to the two gangs, a control member connected to the tractor at a point laterally offset from the point of draft connection thereto and connected to one of the gangs at a point laterally offset from the point of draft connection to that gang, holding means for maintaining'the disc gangs angled apart, including release means operably connected with the control member, said release means being operable to release the holding means whereby the gangs of discs may come out of angle upon turning of the tractor.

19. A tractor operated ground working implement I comprising forward and rear gangs of ground working tools, means interconnecting the gangs for relative angling movement in a horizontal plane, draft means flexibly connected with the tractor and including draft members severally flexibly connected to the two gangs, each of said draft members being movable with reference to the gang to which it is not connected, a control member connected to the tractor at a point laterally offset from the point,of draft connection thereto and connected to one of the gangs at a point laterally offset from the point of draft connection to that gang, and means releasable by action of the control member, acting between the control-member-connected gang and the draft 7 member which is connected to the other gang to hold the two gangs apart in chosen angular relation.

20. A-tractor operated ground working implement comprising forward and rear gangs of ground working tools, means interconnecting the gangs for relative angling movement in a horizontal plane; draft members flexibly connected to the tractor and to the two gangs, a control member connected to the tractor at a point laterally offset from the point of draft connection thereto and connected'to one of the gangs at a point laterally offset from the point of draft connection to lock the block to said bar,

- control member to said holding means and to that gang, and means under manual control limiting the angular spread of the two gangs, and means connected with the. latter said means and with the control member operable to maintain the two gangs apart in chosen angular relation and operable upon the tractor making a turn in a direction around the open ends of the gangs ment of said disk gangs to and from angled relation; holding means for holding said disk gangs in angled relation, releasable latch means connected with one of said disk gangs and with said holding means for releasing said holding means when said disk gangs are turned to permit said disk gangs to move from said angled relation; and connecting means between said control member and said latch means to actuate said latch means when the draft device is turned;

22. Ina harrow adapted to be drawn by a tractor 'having a control member connected thereto and offset from the point of draft connection to the tractor, the combination of: a forward disk gang, a rearward disk gang, means for connecting said disk gangs together and adapted to permit relative movement of said disk gangs from. angled relation on one side of said harrow to angled relation on the other side of said harrow; holding means for holding said disk gangs in angled relation on one side of said harrow; and release means connected from said automatically operable when said harrow is turned in one direction first to release said holding means to permit said disk gangs to approach parallelism and then to exert a positive force on one of said disk gangs to move said disk gangs to angled relation on said other side of said harrow.

- 23. In a harrow adapted to be drawn by a tractor having a control member connected thereto and offset from the point of draft connection of the tractor, the combination of: a forward disk gang; a rearward disk gang; pivot means connecting said disk gangs and adapted to permit relative movement of said disk gangs to and from angled relation; hitch means connected to said forward disk gang; 9. bar member connected to one of said disk gangs; latch means between said bar member and the other of said disk gangs; latch release means operable to release said latch means; and connecting means for connecting said control member of said tractor and 7 said latch release means.

rear gang connected together for relative angular movement, a main hitch member for the harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor, means for locking the gangs in a certain angular posi- ,60 24. A harrow comprising a front gang and a for drawing the implement-,and means responsive to the turning of said draft means for unlocking ing the gangs together in a predetermined angular relation, a supplemental draft member adapted to be connected to the tractor for actuation by a movement of the latter relative to said harrow, means for connecting said supplemental draft member to one of said gangs at a point offset from said means for connecting said gangs together, andmeans responsive to an actuation of said supplemental draft member for releasing said locking means.

26. A harrow comprising a front gang and a rear gang connected together for relative angular movement, a 'main hitch member for the harrow adapted to be connected to a tractor, means for locking the gangs in a certain angular position, a supplemental draft member adapted to be connected to the tractor for actuation by a movement of the latter, at .a point offset laterally from the point of connection of said main draft member with the tractor, whereby said supplemental draft member is moved longitudinally relative to said main draft member when the tractor is turned, and means responsive to longitudinal movement of said supplemental draft member relative to said main draft member for disabling said locking means.

'27. In a tractor drawn ofiset harrow comprising two gangs connected for relative horizontal angular movement, means for controlling the relative angular position of the gangs comprising two latches connected in series relation between said gangs, manually operated means for unlatching one of said latches, and means controlled by a movement of the tractor for unlatching the other of said latches.

28. In a tractor drawn offset harrow comprising two gangs connected for relative horizontal angular movement, means, for controlling the relative angular position of the gangs comprising two cooperating latches. means for controlling one of said latches from the tractor, and means for opening the other of said latches when the tractor is turned.

29. In a tractor drawn offset harrow comprising two gangs connected'for relative horizontal angular movement, means for controlling the relative angular position of the gangs comprising two cooperating latches, means for controlling 'one of said latches from the tractor, and means for controlling the other of said latches by a movement of the tractor.

30. In combination, a disk harrow. comprising two gangs connected for relative horizontal angular movement having means for locking the gangs in a selected angular position, a draft means for drawing the harrow, and means responsive to the turning of said draft means for unlocking said gangs.

31. In combination, an implementcomprising two tools, means for locking said tools in a certain position relative to each other, a draft means said tools.

32. In combination, an implement comprising a tool, means for locking said tool in one position, a draft means for drawing'the implement, and means responsive'to the turning of said draft means for unlocking said tool.

33. In combination, an implement comprising a tool, hitch means therefor, and releasable means for locking said tool relative to said hitch means, a draft device coupled to said hitch means for drawing said implement, and means responsive to turning said draft device relative to said hitch device beyond a predetermined amount for re-- leasing said locking means.

34. In combination with a tractor, a harrow comprising a pair of gangs pivotally connected together for relative angular movement, hitch means connected to said gangs, releasable means for locking said gangs together and to said hitch means in a predetermined angular position, means for pivotally connecting said hitch means to said tractor for swinging movement relative thereto, and means responsive to a swinging movement of said tractor relative to said harrow beyond a predetermined amount for releasing said locking means.

35. In combination, an implement comprising a tool, hitch' means therefor, and reieasdble means for locking said tool relative to said hitch means, a draft device coupled to said hitch means for drawing said implement, a control device on said draft device, and means responsive to a movement of said control device beyond a certain position for releasing said locking means.

36. In combination with a tractor, aharrowi comprising a pair of gangs pivotally connected together for relative angular movement," hitch means connected to said gangs and to said tractor,

releasable means for locking saidgangs together and to said hitch means in predetermined relation, a control device on said tractor, and means responsive to a movement of said control device beyond a certain position for releasing said looking means.

37. In combination with a tractor, a barrow comprising a pair of gangs pivotally connected together for relative angular movement, hitch means connected to said gangs and to said tractor, releasable means for locking said gangs together and to said hitch means in predetermined relation, a control member on said tractormovable responsive to steering the latter, and means responsive to said movement of said member to a certain position for unlocking said locking means,

38. A tractor drawn tandem disk harrow comprising front and rear gangs swingably connected together for relative angular movement, hitch means therefor, manually controlled means for optionally locking said gangs in one of several angular positions for normal operation, and

lar relation and then pulling the gangs into another angular position responsive to a turningof the tractor, said locking means being adapted to relock said gangs in said selected angular position after the tiu'n has been completed.

noun: a. mom oscm w. SJOGREN. 

